Planning this year’s Yom Ha’atzmaut festivities for Yavneh Academy was quite different than in past years. But, despite using a different platform, the day was just as celebratory, inspiring and educational as it has always been.

The day began with tefillah chagigit in the different departments. The Yavneh family then joined together for a school-wide tekes. Rabbi Knapp shared inspiring words about our connection to Israel, Tefillah l’Shalom HaMedina and the tefillah for the Israeli soldiers were recited and, so as not to break with Yavneh tradition, the seventh grade girls performed their Daglanut routine via a video. At the conclusion of the tekes, Israeli music was played. There was singing and dancing and flags were waving in honor of Israel.

Yavneh’s youngest students spent the days leading up to Yom Ha’atzmaut learning about Israel’s cities through art, food and song. They were then treated to a Yom Ha’atzmaut show with Morah Meital and took a “trip” to Israel. The children also participated in a Zoom with Mainstages Productions along with other Bergen County yeshiva day schools.

Lower school students enjoyed learning about the Israeli artist, Chanoch Piven, and made self portraits using items that mean a lot to them in their homes. So many different amazing portraits were submitted! Students also learned about different inventions that came from Israel, and created their own inventions!

First and second graders enjoyed a tour of Israel with Rabbi Aryeh Leifert, who walked them through how Medinat Yisrael came to be in existence! Students in grades three through five enjoyed choosing their own Israel adventures, with choices of art, music, dance, army training, STEM and cooking!

Middle school students also had the opportunity to participate in many different activities. After the tekes, students learned about Yom Ha’atzmaut from a Torah perspective. Later in the day, students toured the shuk with Joel Haber, learned about media bias with Stand with Us, had an Israeli scavenger hunt and trained for the army. The day concluded with cookie decorating with Yavneh’s own Limor Levy!

Even though everyone was at their own home, they all celebrated Israel together.